Opened in 1968, the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, while celebrating its 50th year, closed its doors for the last time. I was a member of the final graduating class, receiving my bachelor of science in illustration, and while I’m not the best violinist (yes I know my grip is bad), felt the need to be the tiny and insignificant Nero of our generation and played my fiddle only moments after the acting dean walked out and locked the doors for the final time. I felt that, due to the enormity of the situation, the only fitting piece of music would be Clint Mansell’s piece from the soundtrack for the film The Fountain, “Death is the Road to Awe”. It’s a small way to mourn the stomping grounds to which I’ll never be able to return, and the only thing that will remain of this historic institution is the legacy which myself and the final members of my graduation class will carry.

(I know I’m off key and out of time at many points, I just started learning the violin earlier this year. I also couldn’t hear the music over my violin at the start, and couldn’t hear my violin over the music at the end)